The 2026 GDHL season is rapidly approaching! Lots of snow means lots of racing!
In this newsletter:
Welcome!
Sponsors
Calcutta - January 3rd
Time Trials
Race Schedule
Rules Recap
Teams
Communications
FIS World Cup Volunteers
Craigleith Cares
Welcome To The 2026 GDHL Season - New and Returning Racers!
This season is gearing up to be our best ever! With EIGHT races, and a full lineup of social events, you’ve chosen the best activity to get you through your ski season.
Sponsors
These are the organizations that enable us to put on the best races and events on the escarpment. Thank you for your generous support!
Riopelle-Veer Real Estate Group - RE/MAX
Sutherland Insurance
Lysander Funds
Erinwood Ford
CDN Global
Squire John’s
Lange/Dynastar
Calcutta - Saturday January 3rd
A reminder of our first event of the season - the Calcutta. 4:30pm -6:30pm in the Depot Lodge.
One of Craigleith’s oldest tradition, the Calcutta is the kick-off to the Going Downhill League season.
For those that know, you know. For those that are new, get ready!
Come by the Calcutta to pick up your bib, find out who’s on your team, visit with fellow racers, and see how much your team goes for.
The bar will be open, and appetizers will be served.
This event is open to all in the Craigleith community, and is not a ticketed event.
…more details to come…
If you’re looking to bid on a team, please let us know ahead of time by emailing GDHL@GDHL.org. While this isn’t required, it helps us to prepare.
Time Trials
This year’s Time Trials are on Monday December 29th at 1pm on Big John. Weather permitting.
All new racers are encouraged to take a run and let us know how you ski against other GDHL racers.
Returning racers are also encouraged to take a race run and shake off that deep layer of rust.
We use this info to help in the rankings, bib order, and team creation.
If you cannot make the Time Trials and are a new racer, get ready for us to pry deeply into your skiing background…
When was the last time you raced?
Rules Recap
Helmets are mandatory. Hard ear helmets are mandatory for GS Races.
No downhill suits (except for Super G). You are not this fast.
FIS and Alpine Canada race rules are in effect, to a point.
Start order is your bib order. If you can’t count, someone else will be happy to let you know how it works.
The Coyotes are the fine-looking folks keeping your race moving along and keeping it safe. Be kind and respectful to the Coyotes, they are here to help.
Rude and/or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated. You can and will be removed from the GDHL if you’re a jerk.
Stay tuned for more rules updates as we get closer to the season.
Race Schedule
2025 Champs - Team Birches
Team Scoring
The scoring for the 2026 season is very similar to previous seasons.
Each race that you finish you will receive points. These points are determined by a) your finish order and b) the total number of racers in the league this season.
For the purposes of Team scoring, your best four race points will be added together to give you a season total. The team result consists of the sum of all of those totals, minus the lowest scoring racer on your team.
Team scores are then ranked, with the top three teams receiving prize money, glory, and bragging rights. The lowest scoring team will be automatically enrolled in an extensive dryland training program run by Bebe.
End of season awards are based on these results.
WhatsApp Group
Join the GDHL WhatsApp Group using the link below. Stay up to date with any last minute race updates and reminders for upcoming events.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/BXdFxZHpmei9s1mADs02Hc
FIS World Cup Ski Cross at Craigleith
A message from the World Cup Ski Cross organizers:
We are seeking partners to help support the volunteers of the World Cup Ski Cross event happening at Craigleith Ski Club March 2026.
The world cup is a large event that is taking place over the March Break, and has 150+ volunteers to ensure it runs smoothly.
If you would like to sign up to volunteer during the event, please follow the QR Code below.
Volunteer sign up: https://snowreg.com/#!/events/2026-craigleith-ski-cross-world-cup-volunteers-registration
We also have a number of sponsorship opportunities available.
Water Bottles. With a $3000 donation, we will provide a reusable water bottle to every volunteer on and off the hill. Your logo will be printed on each one for great visibility throughout the event and beyond.
Food / Snacks. This sponsorship opportunity can be either donation of product, or a monetary donation, to help keep our volunteers fueled throughout the World Cup. With long days on and off the hill, anything from grab and go snacks to hot food goes a long way in supporting the team. Any contribution is truly appreciated and your support will be highlighted during the event.
Prize Donation. We are looking for prize donations to be given away to our amazing volunteers as a thank you for all their hard work during the World Cup Ski Cross. Items of any size or value are welcome: gift cards, gear, fun swag. Everything makes a difference, and your support will be acknowledged throughout the event.
Sponsorship email: CraigleithSXVolunteer@gmail.com
Your 2026 GDHL Committee
Brook Dyson
Michael DeAngelis
Carrie Lenauskas
Paul Peterson
Peter Dyson
Julie Statler
Ben Williams
Steve Cryer
Bryn Copp
Ciara Gaffney
Rowan Darlison
Rich Lavery